There has been progress, but LA is still the nation's smoggiest city, and 91% of Californians breath air that is dangerously polluted. That finding by the American Lung Association pits it against efforts to relax environmental laws during the economic recession. Also, efforts to delay Governor Schwarzenegger's attack on global warming. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, Arizona officials claim federal inaction required the state to crack down on illegal immigration.

FROM THIS EPISODE

Ten counties with America's worst air pollution are all in California, and LA has the worst Smog in the country. That's according to the American Lung Association. We'll hear what that means for public health. We also hear about efforts to delay AB 32, Governor Schwarzenegger's attack on global warming. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Arizona officials claim federal inaction required the state to crack down on illegal immigration. Does the new state law provide needed protection or violate civil rights and interfere with federal authority?

Banner image: Layers of dirty air settle on the city as day turns to night in Los Angeles, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Just as it was last August, this week's Remote Area Medical clinic at LA's Sports Arena has been “overwhelmed by demand.” That's according to Molly Hennessy-Fiske of the Los Angeles Times, who's covered the first three days of a week-long free clinic.

Success in closing the border in Texas and California has pushed more illegal crossings to Arizona, creating high anxiety in the southern part of that state. Arizona officials claim there's a lack of federal protection, and the new law requires local police to detain anyone they suspect of being in the country illegally. The law won't go into effect until this summer, but already court challenges are being planned.

Two Texas oil companies are funding an effort to delay AB 32, the law signed by Governor Schwarzenegger to curb greenhouse gases. While signatures are still being gathered, the American Lung Association has released a finding that LA's air is still the smoggiest in the country.